Health Ministry gets medication, mosquito fogging machines

by

The Ministry of Health has received a donation of medication and mosquito fogging machines, valued at $5.7 million, from Food for the Poor (FFP) Jamaica.

The 6,000 bottles of paracetamol tablets and 19 portable foggers will assist the Government in its continued fight against the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as the Zika virus (ZIKV).

The items were handed over during a ceremony held at the FFP offices in St Catherine, yesterday.

Addressing the ceremony, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Kevin Harvey, said the donation will help the ministry to better respond to the demands for treatment of mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue, chikungunya and ZIKV.

"Pharmaceuticals are a big item in health, and we are fully aware of the importance of having adequate supplies to meet the demand. Paracetamol is used as one of the main symptomatic treatment interventions for not only the Zika virus, but chikungunya, dengue, as well as influenza. Hence, this donation is timely as we are in the flu season," he said.

paracetamol tablets

In the meantime, Executive Director, FFP Jamaica, David Mair, said the organisation is pleased to partner with the health ministry another time. In 2014, when chikungunya hit Jamaica, the FFP donated more than 5,000 bottles of paracetamol tablets, 3,200 repellents, and nine foggers to assist in fighting the disease.

"With the donation , which was acquired through the head office in Florida, we hope to assist the health ministry in its overall preparedness for ZIKV and ensure that those who cannot afford the treatment for recovery will be able to access the necessary medication," he said.